Communication: Channels, Models and Barriers

Vasantha Raju N.LibrarianGovt. First Grade CollegePeriyapatnavasanthrz@gmail.com

MyLISA OPENS (Orientation Program for Enthusiasts of NET/SLET Exam)

in Library & Information ScienceNovember 10, 2013

SBRR Mahajana First Grade College, Jayalakshmipuram, Mysore

Derivation of the Word Communication and What is Communication?

English word ‘Communication’ is derived from the Latin noun- ‘Communis’

and Latin verb ‘Communicare’ means- ‘to make

common’

What is Communication?

Communication is “the imparting, conveying or exchange of ideas and knowledge whether by

speech, writing or signs”. - The Oxford English Dictionary

Communication is the “the transfer of thought and message as contrasted with transportation of goods

and person”.- The Columbia Encyclopedia of Communication

• In ordinary usage the verb “to communicate” means

i) To exchange thoughts, feelings, information;ii) To make known;iii) To make common;iv) To have a sympathetic relationship.

In the noun form “communication” refers to

i) The exchange of symbols, common message, information;ii) The process of exchange between individual through a

common system of symbols;iii) The art of expressing ideas andiv) The science of transmitting information.

Source: http://www.netugc.com/communication

Elements of Communication

• Elements of basic communication system:

• Source: The source of communication is the sender who has a message to impart. The sender has to decide how to communicate a message, which channel is to be selected for the message and what type of strategies should be planned so that the message makes the desired response. The sender provides verbal or non-verbal cues that can be received, interpreted and responded to by the receiver.

• Message: Message is a set of signs and symbols which are given by the source to create meanings for

the receiver. Simply put, message is the content which is shared between the participants in the communication process. To make the message effective, the sender has to understand the nature and profile of the receiver of the message, his/her needs and expectations and possible response to the message. This is important in both face-to-face as well as mediated situations.

• Channel: Channel is the medium used to communicate a message from the sender to receiver. The channel could be spoken word, printed word, electronic media, or even non-verbal cues such as signs, gestures, body language, facial expressions, etc. In modern communication parlance, the word 'channel' mostly refers to mass communication media such as newspapers, radio, television, telephone, computers, internet etc. The selection of an appropriate channel is crucial for the success of communication.

• Receiver: Communication cannot take place without a receiver for whom the message is meant. We receive a message, interpret it and derive meaning from it.

Source: IGNOU Course Material for Journalism and Mass Communication

Communication ModelsModels Model Type Main Components

of the ModelAlso known as

Lasswell Model (1948) Linear Who Says What In Which Channel To WhomWith What Effect

Shannon and Weaver Communication Model (1949)

Linear SourceEncoderChannelDecoderDestinationNoise Feedback

Mathematical Theory of Communication

Charles Osgood and others (1957)

Linear MessageDecoderInterpreterEncoderMessageDecoder

Models Type Main components of the model

Also known as

Bruce Westely and Malcolm MacLean (1957)Based on Newcomb (1953)

Non-Linear MessagesSource (advocacy roles)Gatekeepers (channels roles)Receivers(behavioral system roles)Feedback

Newcomb models (1953)

David Barlo (1960)Linear Source

MessageChannelReceiver

S-M-C-R Model

Wilbur Schramm (1973) Relational SourceEncoderSignalDecoderReceiver

D. Lawerence Kincaid (1979) Convergence InformationUncertainlyConvergenceMutual UnderstandingMutual agreementCollective actionNetwork of relationships

Source: Uma Nerula. (2006). Communication models. Atlantic : New Delhi.

Shannon-Weaver’s Model of Communication

Sender : The originator of message or the information source selects desire message.

Encoder : The transmitter which converts the message into signals.

Receiver : The destination of the message from sender.

Noise: The messages are transferred from encoder to decoder through channel. During this process the messages may distracted or affected by physical noise like horn sounds, thunder and crowd noise or encoded signals may distract in the channel during the transmission process which affect the communication flow or the receiver may not receive the correct message.

Source: http://communicationtheory.org/shannon-and-weaver-model-of-communication/

Channels of Communication

• There are two types of channels of communication

Channels of Communication

Informal Channels Formal Channels

Channels of Information Communication

Communicator Channels

Informal

Formal

ConversationInformal discussionCorrespondenceothers

Journal articlesResearch reportsBooksPatentsStandardsA-V presentationsOthers

Recipients

Invisible College

Source: Prasher, P.G. (1987). Information and its communication. ILA Bulletin, 23(3) , 95-116.

Fig-1: Channels of Information Communication

Invisible College

• Invisible college concept came to the picture in 17th century in London• Small group of researcher started to meet in various places to discuss the

experimental method of scientific inquiry propounded by Francis Bacon• Robert Boyle of Royal Society, London, coined the term “invisible college”• Informal channel (invisible college) is both oral as well as written (formal

channel-largely in written)• Unfiltered, informal communications produced by communities of people

who share an interest in a common subject or discipline. E-mail, personal conversations, conference papers, unpublished diaries, meeting minutes, phone calls, newsletters, memoranda, and other sources that may not pass through the usual publishing, broadcasting, and distribution channels.

• Information sharing (dissemination) in informal channel is restricted to small group.

Barriers in Communication

• R.G. Prasher has identified two types of barriers in information communication

They are:

– Barriers of communication encountered by the communicator– Barriers of communication encountered by the recipient in accessing

information

Information communication Barriers encountered by the communicator

CommunicatorBa

rrie

rs

Political factorsEmployer’s policyLanguageFinancial constraintsRecipient's attitudeNoiseTime-lagHeavy cost of communication channelsOthers

Recipients

Barr

iers

Fig-1: Information communication Barriers encountered by the communicator

Source: Prasher, P.G. (1987). Information and its communication. ILA Bulletin, 23(3) , 95-116.

Information Communication Barriers Encountered by Recipients

CommunicatorBa

rrie

rs

Size of KnowledgeHeavy inflow of DocumentsClassified documentsLanguagePolitical reasonsNon-availability of foreign documentsFinancial constraintsTechnological know-howIgnorance of userothers

Recipients

Barr

iers

Fig-2: Information Communication Barriers Encountered by Recipients

Source: Prasher, P.G. (1987). Information and its communication. ILA Bulletin, 23(3) , 95-116.